The 2011 crop trading week started late following Monday’s Columbus Day holiday, but the Tuesday average was $12.03, an 82 cent increase from the prior week closing day price (Figure 1). Market price posted solid gains each day of the week en route to a Friday closing average of $12.48 per bushel, $1.27 over the previous Friday average trading price. Highest reported individual market daily average for the shortened week was $12.68 at Helena on Friday with Old Town/Elaine at $12.65. The Osceola and Blytheville markets both reported $12.60 on Friday. The lowest individual market daily average was $11.81 at Wynne on Tuesday. Jonesboro reported $11.82 and Des Arc $11.86 on that day. Last trading day quotes for the thirteen Arkansas markets providing 2011 crop quotes ranged from $12.25 to $12.68.

Fig. 1

The new market price quotations on the 2011 crop for January delivery opened Tuesday with a statewide average of $12.38, a 78 cent improvement from the previous Friday closing mark. January delivery beans gained each day of trading in the week, but did not see a size of price improvement equal to the cash market. The Friday closing average of $12.76 represented a $1.16 improvement for the week (Figure 2). Helena topped the individual daily market quotes with an average price of $12.94 on Friday. Following closely at $12.89 was Old Town/Elaine with Osceola and Blytheville at $12.87 on the same day. The lowest individual daily average during the week was $11.87 on Tuesday at Wynne, the only daily market report of the week under $12.00. These quotes on the 2011 crop for January 2012 delivery will continue to be reported through December 31.

Fig. 2

(Market average prices stated in this report are unweighted averages of the state markets surveyed by NASS. Price data was based on USDA LR GR111 Arkansas Daily Grain Reports.)